A true temple of exceptional chocolate, La Baleine à Cabosse has established itself as a must-visit destination for lovers of gourmet discoveries. Born from a trip to Colombia that captured the founder’s heart, this pioneering bean-to-bar manufacturer crafts unique bars—directly from bean to bar—in its workshop on Rue Paradis. Certified “Made in Marseille,” the company combines ethics, passion, and a commitment to artisanal craftsmanship. But the adventure takes a delicious new turn near the Vieux-Port with a brand-new Mousse Bar offering light, airy creations to go. An inspiring story, sustainable values, and gourmet delights: dive into the heart of this unique world of chocolate!
La Baleine à Cabosse: Marseille’s temple of bean-to-bar chocolate
The story of La Baleine à Cabosse began with a unique encounter between Aurélien, a chocolate enthusiast, and Claire. While traveling in Colombia, the pair discovered the raw flavor of cacao trees. This revelation inspired them to relearn the art of chocolate-making from scratch. Back in France, after their first experiments, the brand was born, named in homage to the whales spotted in Tumaco, whose shape resembles that of cacao pods.
Established in 2017 at 213 Rue Paradis, the chocolate factory became a pioneer of Marseille’s bean-to-bar movement. There, Claire and Aurélien select eco-friendly beans from committed producers. In this historic workshop, roasting, stone grinding, and molding take place in full view of the public, filling the entire neighborhood with the aroma of chocolate. Certified “Made in Marseille,” the company follows a zero-waste approach and collaborates withthe local ecosystem to create unique chocolate bars with distinct, bold flavor profiles.
A One-of-a-Kind Bar à Mousse: the Old Port’s New Gourmet Stop
Building on its success on Rue Paradis, La Baleine à Cabosse is taking things to the next level by setting its sights on the historic heart of Marseille. Located at 45 Rue Vacon, just a stone’s throw from the Old Port, this second location retains the spirit of a transparent workshop-boutique where you can see and smell the chocolate-making process firsthand. But the big news that’s already got foodies buzzing is the launch of an exclusive concept: a take-out bean-to-bar chocolate mousse bar.
Made fresh daily on-site from exceptional cocoa beans, these mousses prioritize absolute freshness and an extremely simple recipe, prepared without butter or cream (and using pasteurized eggs). The permanent menu features three irresistible flavors: an intense 85% dark chocolate, an ultra-comforting 50% milk chocolate, and a limited-time offering inspired by the brand’s chocolate bars. Served in a cone or individual cup to enjoy while strolling along the harbor, or in a large size to share, these light and airy mousses reinvent dessert with a rare commitment to artisanal quality.
📍La Baleine à cabosse – 213 Rue Paradis, 13006 Marseille
📍Bar à Mousse – 45 Rue Vacon, 13001 Marseille
